navybankerteacher

Of course US  electric clocks run on 60 cycles - so voltage is not the only concern.

13 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

3 hours ago, cefm said:

Is parking in New Haven CT and taking Metro-North doable? Looking at map it is a short walk from Grand Central and 2 ferries to Red Hook to be at the terminal. I only will have one larger piece of luggage.

You could consider parking in Stamford rather than New Haven - about an hour closer to Grand Central, and I think more convenient parking, but either would work. From Grand Central the Lexington Ave subway to Wall Street would put you about 1/2 mile from Pier 11, where the passenger ferry (one trip) takes you to right next to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.  Any midtown ferry pier would be a long walk from Grand Central.

Unless your TA leg arrives early, I think you run a real risk.  It recently took me over an hour and a half from on-time T/A arrival at JFK to be cleared of immigration with luggage in hand.  When you add getting to likely other terminal, and clearing TSA for next flight, you will have  pretty well used up another hour - and remember: you need to be ready to board that flight 30 minutes before scheduled departure.  Have you TSA Pre-check? 

You need to consider the means by which cruise lines have managed to attract so many more passengers year after year - while having kept  the fare increases well below the inflation rate: they have cut expenses by cutting staff - while increasing passenger load, thereby reducing the share of fixed costs each passenger must cover, while reducing their “grocery bills” by cutting amounts and quality of food purchases.

Obviously, Carnival has followed this path, certainly NCL as well; but Princess, Royal Caribbean, HAL, and Cunard are essentially doing the same- perhaps at slightly slower rates.

You commented that “cruising used to be premium service”; you should realize that, if you want to receive premium service, you cannot expect to pay discount prices. Either pay for the premium spaces and restaurants on the same lines, or switch to premium lines.  Anyone who started cruising 30 years ago (when cruising WAS a luxury) must remember the old days, recognize the changes and adjust his expectations.

As I recall, both acts were essentially intended to protect the U S merchant  marine interests by favoring US flagged ships and protecting them against foreign competition.  The difference between what US crew and foreign crew are paid is probably greater now than ever before - making US cruise passengers very interested in doing away with such protections - which permit ANY US shipping operations to exist.

A number of industries have been impacted by the differences in pay standards;  how many of you have recently purchased a television set or a camera which was made in the US?  Or how many New Yorkers have ridden in subway cars recently made in the US - as opposed to Japan (made from iron ore shipped from the Great Lakes - some of which was smelted with coal shipped from the Chesapeake Bay).

2 hours ago, havoc315 said:

I’ve accounted for all that. I’ve done both, driving and train. My experience over 28 years going to/from Boston 2+ times per year, is that driving is much faster, much more relaxing, and much cheaper 95% of the time. 
Can I hit traffic? Sometimes. Am I going to hit 3 hours worth of traffic both ways to even out the travel times? Very very unlikely. 
Do trains have delays? Absolutely sometimes. 
Hassle? Loading my car with 6-10 pieces of luggage just once, and then dropping it off at the port.. or lugging it into an Uber, then lugging it on to train, mugging it off train, lugging it back into another Uber before getting to port..

 

So less handle, hundreds of dollars less, hours and hours faster… Not close for me. 

 

It seems you like to drive - perhaps you are always fortunate with regard to traffic. When I travel for leisure, I want it to be easy, hassle free and reasonably economical - including ALL related expenses.
 

In any case, as I posted earlier: “enough”.  

46 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

Some might, some might not, and others very well might not have an idea of what you were talking about.

There are always some folks who are challenged when it comes to reading comprehension

33 minutes ago, havoc315 said:

Im looking 3 months out. Should be plenty of time. 
 

But even if the train fare was only $3 per person… it would still be more expensive and much more time consuming than driving. Because of the need to spend about $300 on round trip Uber to get to/from the train stations. 
 

looking now — 6 months out, November 1 to Nov 8, cheapest late morning tickets: I’m seeing $316 round trip for 4 people. 

 

 

I suppose you NEVER experience traffic delays on I-95, and that you would prefer to spend $300 on Uber vs. $128 to park at Stamford station, and that typical per-mile car costs don’t count,   So just continue driving.  My experience driving to/from Boston, and my preference for a good time vs a hassle cause me to think differently.

Enough.

47 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

But there are others who definitely use it as pejorative term.

If I were to start referring to Walmart as the Carnival of retail stores - would Walmart shoppers would see that as perjorative?

If you book cruises a few months out, and check Amtrak prices that much in advance, it is a totally different scene.

If one of the points of the trip is to have an enjoyable time, avoiding I-95 in CT, RI and MA is something to consider.

2 hours ago, ontheweb said:

There are definitely people including some who post on these boards who use the term Wa;mart in a pejorative sense.

 

Now if there are 3 stores in town that all sell avocados, actually the same brand and 2 of them charge over a dollar each while Walmart sells them for 74 cents each, I wonder what could possibly be wrong with buying them at Walmart that would merit that criticism.

 

 

Of course I would buy the avocados at Walmart - just as I sometimes sail Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, Cunard and (not as frequently) Carnival.  I am aware that many of the goods carried by Walmart are identical (same brand and quality) as at higher priced stores, and I do make purchases there.  I do not buy clothing, shoes, or furniture at Walmart because I don’t appreciate the quality of those items .

I suggest you get over the knee-jerk reaction to “Walmart” as pejorative - I simply use it as an appropriate term for identifying a low-cost, mass market  provider.

2 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

Now you are just making things up.   

No- I am just questioning your opposition to the use of a perfectly appropriate and applicable term for a low price, mass market provider.

1 hour ago, DarrenM said:

Only been on Celebrity Beyond. But I would highly recommend it.

 

Its a wonderful ship.

 

And the best bars I have ever been to.

Of the identified lines (which I have sailed) I found Celebrity to have better food and service and somewhat less crowding in public areas, slightly offset by somewhat less variety in entertainment — yet overall preferable.

8 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

I can assure you more than a "few fans of mass market lines"  find this comparison immature and inaccurate.   

 

At least be honest.  It is intentionally uncomplimentary. Just like my previous convalescent home reference -- very intentional.  Saying it is "not altogether inappropriate" is a silly attempt to sidestep the real message.  Stop pretending you are unaware of the stigma attached to Walmart and Walmart shoppers.  Your sidekick who posted the website sure doesn't pretend. 

 

Every time I read this nonsense, I'm more convinced than ever to stick with mass market lines and the terrific fellow passengers I'm surrounded by.   

 

  

I take it that you feel there is something inherently bad about large scale mass market operations. Frankly, I do not - I frequent both sorts of enterprises - in cruising and retail expeditions.

7 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

Interesting that you and a handful of others need to continuously compare larger ships to Walmart and amusement parks.  Some do in fact have amusement park vibes, many do not.  None that I have experienced in somewhere around 50 cruises resemble a Walmart.  But then, I don't really know what meant by those of you who comment about floating Walmarts.   Bottom line, and a good dose of tit for tat, I suppose I might prefer the vibe on larger ships over a floating convalescent home.   

A few fans of the large mass-market ships have protested the Walmart comparison.  It may not be complimentary , but comparing a usually crowded discount mass market cruise ship with a usually crowded  mass market retail operation is not altogether inappropriate.  Doing so does not mean one might not ever take advantage of the opportunities offered by the discount mass market provider — it is simply a matter of being aware of the differences between discount mass-market providers and more upscale providers (be they providers of shopping opportunities or cruise experiences);  that awareness, of course, requires having experienced both approaches.

Having sailed both types of ships, I have never seen a particular convalescent home vibe on a smaller vessel- and, in fact, seem to recall a higher proportion of infirm passengers on larger ships.

48 minutes ago, havoc315 said:

my dates in July have nothing that cheap except for a 6am train. 
$400 is the minimum for 4 people, and those times don’t work. 
 

I can drive without a hotel as well, but I’m getting there a day early to do things in Boston.  
 

But even if the times worked, even if it was $200… that would still be significantly more expensive than driving because of the multiple Uber rides. 
 

 

Enjoy your drive.

1 hour ago, havoc315 said:

???? Don’t know what Amtrak you’re taking. I’ve never seen a ticket for under $60 each way except for very inconvenient times. The cheapest for my dates was $65 each way, per person. 

I have just checked for a random date a couple of months out: Stamford CT to South Station Boston - prices were minimum $15 and maximum $33 per person each way (Northeast Regional, obviously not Acela) making four round trips TOTALLING  either $120 or $264.   Of course if one does not think enough to plan ahead (like booking other things the same time as the cruise) and buys at last minute prices, he pays what he deserves to pay. 
 

Also, an early train on embarkation day negates the need for a room (or rooms) for hotel night, overnight parking, and cruise parking.

5 minutes ago, havoc315 said:

$500 for round trip for 4 people. That’s the cheapest ticket — about $60-$70 per person, each way. 
$50-$100 for Uber from home to train station. 
$500 minimum for train. 
$50 Uber from south station to hotel. 
$30-$50 for Uber from hotel to port. 
$50-$100 for Uber from port back to train station. 
$50-100 for Uber from train station to home. 
 

train cost: $780 to $900

Time; about 5 1/2 hours to 6 hours from front door to hotel 

 

Car:

Time: 3-4 hours

Cost:

round trip gas and tolls: About $100 to $150. (400 miles… I get about 36-40 mpg in my hybrid, so about $50 in gas round trip).
overnight parking for 1 night at hotel: $50-$70

Parking: already prepaid Black Falcon lot, $175 for the week. 
Total cost of driving: $325 to $395

 

Not even close. Driving is significantly faster and cheaper than the train. 
 

(could take the high speed train… but that only saves 20-30 minutes and costs twice as much)

 

 

Please advise what station you are talking about - which is 3 1/2 hours from South Station, Boston;  and what your hotel will cost for 4.

1 hour ago, havoc315 said:

That assumes you have a convenient rail stop. 
For me, it’s a direct 3 hour drive. 
Versus — Uber XL for 4 people to Amtrak station, about 35-40 minutes away. Then a 3 1/2 train ride to south station, (for another $500 or so) followed by another Uber to hotel. Followed by another Uber to the cruise port the next day. 
 

And doing that all in reverse the next day. 
 

So train is much more time consuming and much more expensive than driving.

 

 

$500 for a 3 1/2 hour Amtrak ride? Which could probably mean no hotel cost, nor two Ubers pre-cruise, and no parking costs.  I suggest you spend a bit of time pricing and timing things out - just because you own a car does not mean you should ignore real costs of driving it .

p.s. A 3 1/2 hour Amtrak ride to Boston would probably cost about $25, so four round trips would be closer to $200 than $500.

Back on point:  there is no statute, and the possible necessity to control the off-ship environment, means that the captain might have valid reason to be among the first, or last, to leave the ship.  
 

The sad fact, however, is that in the twenty first century the traditions of our heroic past have been mothballed.  Since the “Birkenhead drill” is obsolete, and women are now to be seen as the equals of men in all contexts, why should anyone expect a captain to risk his life in an effort to be the last man off.

10 minutes ago, George C said:

We love Gallaghers, which also has a fantastic bar , seen many famous people there including George C Scott , we go there daily for drinks when in the city . It’s a hundred years old at original location.

Gallagher’s is undeniably the best, but if you want a reasonably priced hotel and an easy access to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, lower Manhattan is the place to spend the night  - and Delmomico’s has great service and food — and if you like the idea of an “original location” you cannot beat Fraunce’s Tavern.

On 4/27/2024 at 10:57 AM, xtrail said:

 Enchanted Princess Sept 7 , i Ihink out of Brooklyn terminal not confirmed , looking for hotel suggestions flying into LGA Friday  , 4 star , dining on site or close by 

Princess sails out of Brooklyn.  Perhaps stay in lower Manhattan - Holiday Inn Express, Wall Street Inn, or Eurostars Wall Street - all reasonably priced and very short walk to Pier 11 for ferry to right next to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.  Lower Manhattan financial district is safe - great restaurants: Delmonico’s Steak House, Harry’s Hanover Square, or Fraunce’s Tavern (where George Washington had farewell dinner with his senior officers).

What a surprise!

1 hour ago, cruiseorcamp said:

Our

1 hour ago, cruiseorcamp said:

They recommend that guests use their shuttle rather than taxi or UBER/LYFT.

…

What a surprise!

On 4/26/2024 at 2:10 PM, crystalspin said:

On top of the good advice you've received above, the 5-day/4-night description is disingenuous: Cruises do not have a day without a night -- guests must be off the ship by 9:30-10am on final "day". And rarely get to board in time for lunch on Day 1. So a 4-night cruise is almost a 3-day/4-night cruise.

 

So right off the certificate is taking license with the truth.

It depends on if you are focusing on identifying the number of FULL days on board (meaning counting the night before the first full day and the night after the last full day).

Half hour to 45 minutes should do it. Of course it is likely to take at least a half hour from arrival time to get to pick-up point.  Barring major train delay, should be good